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Too rich for Teds
I agree with Peter Fawcett's view (CCW, 3 January) regarding your associating Ford's 'Three Graces' models with Teddy Boys.
It is true to say that many of these cars, together with later 204E models, Vauxhall Crestas/Victors – in fact, anything with fins – turn up at shows driven by owners dressed in rock ‘n’ roll revivalist apparel in cars bedecked with additional spotlights, sun visors etc., thus providing an interesting and colourful dimension to the classic car movement.
I think it is fair to say, however, that in contemporaneous times, these cars would have been well beyond the means of the average 'Ted', due to their pricing and the sector of the market at which they were aimed.
Furthermore, by the time they had descended to the banger/runabout level, youngsters weree more likely to be driving Beetles or 2CVs, wearing flowers in their hair!
Painting such a picture makes for feelgood nostalgic reading, but it has no factual basis.
It's all too easy for classic scribblers to fall into the trap of associating MkI and II 'big' Fords with Teds when those cars were new. That Ted/'big' Ford association did happen, but not until the arrival of the 'greaser' movement in the very early 1970s, which ran parallel with the Ted revival. By that time the 'big' Fords and their Vauxhall equivalents were little more than bangers but they became the choice of greasers who also favoured older British motorcycles and, of course, rock 'n' roll. Yes, there is a Ted/ MkI association, but not for more than a decade – Richard Barnett, Markets Ed.
Classics have been cheaper!
I noticed in your opinion that ‘there’s never been a better time’ to buy your next classic (CCW, 3 January).
With enormous respect to your knowledge of our h
